This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: PSALM 14:1-31The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;There is no one who does good.2The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of menTo see if there are any who understand,Who seek after God.3They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;There is no one who does good, not even one.

14:1 "fool" This psalm is almost exactly like Psalm 53. This word (BDB 614 I) refers to people who should know YHWH but choose to live as if He does not affect their lives. There were no atheists in the philosophical sense in the ANE, but many of the covenant people were practical atheists (cf. Deut. 32:6,21; 2 Sam. 13:13; Ps. 10:4,11,13; 53:1; 74:22; Ezek. 13:3). The proverb of Luke 12:48 surely applies to these people.

▣ "There is no one who does good" This is a general statement on the spiritual condition of fallen mankind, even the covenant people. It is elaborated on in Ps. 14:2-3. Notice how fallen humanity is characterized.

1. no one does good, Ps. 14:1,3 (inclusive)

2. no one understands

3. no one seeks after God

4. all have turned aside (see note at Ps. 14:3)

5. all have become corrupt

One clearly sees the influence of Genesis 3 on all humanity. Paul put together a powerful litany of verses on human rebellion in Rom. 3:9-18,23. He quotes Ps. 14:1-3; 53:1-4; 5:9; 140:3; 10:7; Isa. 59:7-8; Ps. 36:1. This truth is the first truth of the gospel (Rom. 1:18-3:18). The gospel is "good news" in light of the bad news!

14:2 "The Lord has looked down from heaven" YHWH was envisioned to dwell in heaven (see Special Topic at Ps. 8:1), from which He sees and knows all that occurs on earth (acts, motives, intents, cf. Ps. 33:13,14; 102:19; Job 28:24). YHWH, so different from the idols, sees, knows, and acts!

14:3 "they have turned aside" YHWH's covenant was a clearly-marked path/road/way. His people were to stay on this straight (i.e., righteous) and narrow road, but they did not (cf. Exod. 32:8; Deut. 9:12; 11:16; 17:11,17; Jdgs. 2:17; 1 Sam. 12:20; 2 Kgs. 22:2; Jer. 5:23; 17:13; 32:40). The turning away was not an act of ignorance but purposeful rebellion!

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: PSALM 14:4-64Do all the workers of wickedness not know,Who eat up my people as they eat bread,And do not call upon the Lord?5There they are in great dread,For God is with the righteous generation.6You would put to shame the counsel of the afflicted,But the Lord is his refuge.

14:4-6 This strophe heightens the results of "not knowing" (BDB 393, KB 390, Qalperfect, see Special Topic at Ps. 1:6). The actions of the wicked against the poor, needy, and those with no social voice or power will be judged by God, their protector (cf. Deut. 10:17-19; 14:29; 24:17,19-22; 26:12,13; 27:19)!

He is their "refuge" (BDB 340, cf. Ps. 2:12; 5:11; 34:22). To attack them is to attack Him. He will defend them.

14:4

NASB, NKJV,NRSV, LXX"do not call upon the Lord"TEV"they never pray to me"NJB, REB"they never call to YHWH"JPSOA"do not invoke the Lord"

The verb (BDB 894, KB 1128, Qalperfect) is a common one used in many ways (i.e., a wide semantic field). In Psalms it has several usages.

▣ "rejoice. . .be glad" Both of these verbs denote the result of restoration. Verbs in Hebrew take their time orientation from the context. This context is future.

1. rejoice — BDB 162, KB 189, Qaljussive

2. be glad — BDB 970, KB 1333, Qalimperfect used in a jussive sense

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

Bob was born in 1947 in Houston, Texas. He is married to the former Peggy Rutta and they have three children and six grandchildren. He has earned degrees from East Texas Baptist College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has done post-graduat... More